Tripod advice needed

[meach]

I'm thinking about buying a new tripod as my current Velbon one isn't really up to the job now I've bought a Sigma 50-500. Can anyone else who has one of these lenses advise me on what tripods I might consider? And also what heads? Lastly,what are the respective pros and cons of ball and pistol grip heads? All advice gratefully accepted - thanks in advance.

[DekHog]

Re: Tripod advice needed

You might want to take a look at Redsnapper for this - UK made, and great quality and customer service. As solid as the proverbial rock and more than competitive price-wise.

Ball heads? Small, easy to use, but not great for accuracy as it's very easy to over or undershoot depending on the tension, etc. I had the Manfrotto pistol grip head and it was great but very bulky as they don't fold flat against the tripod legs due to the head design. Once again not great for accuracy, but if you just want to focus on one spot and not pan smoothly, both ball and pistol grip types are very good.... out of the two my vote would go to the pistol grip for ease of use and speed.

[David Morison]

Re: Tripod advice needed

As my wildlife set-up weighs in excess of 4 kilos, I needed a very meaty tripod and head, so I finally opted for the National Geographic Expedition Carbon (made by Manfrotto) with Manfrotto 322 pistol grip. This is the proverbial "Rock" and gives me the stability I need, even when much extended. It isn't, despite the carbon structure, very light though but it was the only "portable" set-up that was solid enough for my weighty kit. The RC 322 is superb and even with this weight of kit still only requires minimum friction setting. A Wimberly gimbal head would have been better but doesn't have the portability potential, i.e. it it too big to fit on a pack. Beware that a large number of apparently suitable tripods that can't carry more than 2.5kg, usually found in the small print. You definitely need a set-up that will cope with at least 50% more weight than your kit with a long focus 500mm lens (plus TC?)

David

[Ian]

Re: Tripod advice needed

I must admit I had never heard of Red Snapper before today. I will have to investigate.

Are you set on a tripod - what about a monopod?

Ian

[meach]

Re: Tripod advice needed

Are you set on a tripod - what about a monopod?

Ian

Definitely a tripod - I often take several shots of the same scene over a period of time while the light is changing so I need to be able to let go of it.

[kherb]

Re: Tripod advice needed

I have the red snapper, great quality at a great price

[Chevvyf1]

Re: Tripod advice needed

I use a monopod for the E-5 & BIGMA because its too TOO HEAVY for me to hold. I use the monopod as a rest and it is fitted with a 180 ball head !

A Tripod for birds I found awkward and cumbersome even with a giotto 360 head !

I have two BENBO Tripods ... and would not buy one for anyone, I liked They are too wobbly and unpredictable ! ok for light kit !

[Ross the fiddler]

Re: Tripod advice needed

You might want to take a look at Redsnapper for this - UK made, and great quality and customer service. As solid as the proverbial rock and more than competitive price-wise.

Ball heads? Small, easy to use, but not great for accuracy as it's very easy to over or undershoot depending on the tension, etc. I had the Manfrotto pistol grip head and it was great but very bulky as they don't fold flat against the tripod legs due to the head design. Once again not great for accuracy, but if you just want to focus on one spot and not pan smoothly, both ball and pistol grip types are very good.... out of the two my vote would go to the pistol grip for ease of use and speed.

They appear to be quite a good supplier but it's a shame they only carry one brand of camera.

[Ian]

Re: Tripod advice needed

I use a monopod for the E-5 & BIGMA because its too TOO HEAVY for me to hold. I use the monopod as a rest and it is fitted with a 180 ball head !

A Tripod for birds I found awkward and cumbersome even with a giotto 360 head !

I have two BENBO Tripods ... and would not buy one for anyone, I liked They are too wobbly and unpredictable ! ok for light kit !

A ball-head on a monopod doesn't sound ideal to me. A single axis head like the Manfrotto 234RC Tilt is what I would recommend.

Ian

[francois]

Re: Tripod advice needed

Agreed. I've been using a Manfrotto Pro with 234RC head for ages and it's easier and lighter than a full tripod. Unless you need a long exposure or macro precision, a monopod will enable you to shoot just about anything, especially if you add the iS function of the camera.

[Chevvyf1]

Re: Tripod advice needed

Ian I apologise! The ball heads are on the BENBO's.

The Monopod has a Manfrotto 234RC - an excellent operational & STURDY bit of kit for BIGMA even and Birds; Cars & Motorbikes moving fastt !

[ame]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Manfrotto-Monopod-Release-Replacement-Connect/dp/B004L5C35A/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1305806282&sr=8-9[/ame]

[David Morison]

Re: Tripod advice needed

A ball-head on a monopod doesn't sound ideal to me. A single axis head like the Manfrotto 234RC Tilt is what I would recommend.

Ian

Beware that the Bigma and camera, plus if you want to use a TC, is in excess of the maximum load recommended for the 234RC (2.5Kg)

David

[Chevvyf1]

Re: Tripod advice needed

YIKES ! David I never thought of that ! I shall research to buy a more heavyweight one in June ! Thanks for this information YOU may have saved my BIGMA lens + E-5

[meach]

Re: Tripod advice needed

Well after a bit of research I decided to go with the Redsnapper option and ordered one at 13:51 yesterday afternoon - and it's just arrived!! How's that for service?

A big thank you for all the helpful advice guys.

[DekHog]

Re: Tripod advice needed

They are very efficient, even moreso if you have problems of any kind with any of their goods. Which model did you go for and what do you think of it?